March 21-26, 2024
The second edition of the Winter Camp, a scientific conference organized by the Copernicus Academy, the Association of Economic Universities of South-Eastern Europe (ASECU), in cooperation with the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce and the Starachowice Special Economic Zone, took place in Kielce, Poland. The theme of this year’s edition was “The Future of International Cooperation in the Three Seas Region”. The main sponsor of the event was the Copernicus Academy.
Opening Ceremony
The official opening of the conference featured a welcome speech by ASECU President Prof. Dr. Hab. Grigoris Zarotiadis, a reading of a letter from Copernicus Academy Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hab. Krzysztof Górski, and a welcome to the Kielce region by Jan Kochanowski University Rector Prof. Dr. Hab. Stanisław Głuszek.
Participants and Activities
The conference was attended by students, PhD students and professors from 9 countries, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of cooperation in the Three Seas region during lectures, seminars and workshops. They gained knowledge and developed social and emotional competences, as well as established valuable international contacts. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the history, culture and architecture of Poland by visiting the Kielce region and Krakow. Knowledge about the heritage of the Republic of Poland was shared with participants from Armenia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania and Turkey.
Networking and Collaboration
Networking sessions were held to create plans for cooperation between universities in Athens, Patras, Thessaloniki, Yerevan, Iasi, Eskisehir, Biruli, Sofia, Tirana, Korca, Kozani, Mytilene, Rzeszow and Kielce, which will soon be transformed into further international scientific initiatives.
Closing Ceremony and Cooperation Agreement
The official closing of the Winter School included the presentation of certificates of participation to students and their supervisors, and the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Copernicus Academy and ASECU. The agreement aims to strengthen scientific and educational cooperation between the two institutions.
About ASECU
ASECU, the Association of Economic Universities of South-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region, is an association of economic universities from South-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. It was founded in 1992 to promote scientific and educational cooperation between these universities. Currently, ASECU has 57 member universities from 18 countries.
Acknowledgements
The organizers would like to thank Mr. Marcin Perz, President of the Management Board of the Starachowice Special Economic Zone, Vice-Rector of the Jan Kochanowski University Prof. Dr. Hab. Jarosław Karacz, and Mr. Jerzy Athanasiadis, President of the Polish-Greek Chamber of Industry, for their support.
Conclusion
The Winter Camp 2024 is a model example of effective international cooperation that promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience among young researchers interested in the future of the Three Seas region. The conference was also an opportunity to promote Poland and its rich history, culture and architecture.